A former Greensburg police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Regina McAtee, 51, of New Kensington, who had been with the department for more than 19 years, is accused of drug violations between November 2020 and January 2023. She was suspended without pay for five months in early 2023 and retired in July.
McAtee did not comment, other than to say “Yes, your honor” and No, your honor” during the hearing.
Her suspension came weeks after Shawn Denning, the former police chief, was arrested in January 2023 at Greensburg city hall in connection with the federal drug investigation. At an April 16 hearing where Denning entered a guilty plea, prosecutors said McAtee purchased drugs from suppliers and provided them to Denning.
She and Denning also worked together at Greensburg’s department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt said Wednesday that McAtee started at 10 to 20 methamphetamine pills but eventually was ordering 100 at a time. Vasquesz Schmitt said McAtee would use some and supply/sell some to Denning.
McAtee received her first pension payment of $5,160 on Aug. 1, according to information provided to the Trib under a Right-to-Know Law request. Those payments have continued monthly through April 1.
She was charged by criminal information March 13 in federal court in Pittsburgh. It’s unclear if McAtee will continue to receive a pension.
Denning pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
He admitted to communicating with a government informant starting in July 2021 and connecting that person with drug dealers in California to buy cocaine and methamphetamine, according to the original complaint filed in January 2023 in federal court in Pittsburgh by the Drug Enforcement Administration. That would continue for 15 months, according to court papers.
The complaint included conversations between Denning and the informant on smartphone apps where Denning is accused of providing contact information for the out-of-state suppliers and a “menu” of their available drugs, as well as how to transmit money to them electronically.
Meanwhile, he rose through the ranks of the police department until becoming chief in March 2022.
Staff writer Quincey Reese contributed.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.